Well, It Is Finally Understandable!

Of course, I couldn't sleep. Not only was I irritated by the king's behavior, who I could have really befriended under different circumstances, but I also felt a growing worry about Renet. I blamed myself for him being in a cell because of me and could practically be used as a viable excuse to start a war. What if he thought I'd done it on purpose? Maybe he didn't want to meet me and…? No, no, I did remind myself that it couldn't be. I sank into negative thoughts and drastic scenarios, only being roused by a knock on the door.

Gregory himself decided to take me to breakfast with Michael. Of course, I had no desire to do so, especially after the king's behavior yesterday. Everyone had a problem with the fact that we seemed so close and that I didn't know how to behave properly in the king's presence. I could sense their reluctance from a distance, but I didn't really care; I didn't want to be there. Ostensibly, I was also the king's hostage, and the only thing that still held me there was Renet. Usually, Michael was the first to arrive in the dining room, but this time I had the honor. I didn't like it because I felt like I was just entering the stage, not accepting any role.

In the seat I usually chose, a piece of paper lay, seemingly carelessly thrown. I picked it up and examined what it depicted. I couldn't believe it when I realized that I was, in fact, being painted exactly as I had been the first second I entered this world. A shiver ran through me at the thought that someone might have been watching me. It was a good thing I hadn't eaten beforehand, because I felt nauseous and began to feel afraid. These details couldn't have been a coincidence. I sank into a chair, frantically wondering what game I'd been drawn into again. Once again, I didn't know it had even begun; this world didn't seem to fully understand the basics of fair play.

"I, too, was shocked when I saw it." Michael walked in, saying this in a tone as if he understood me perfectly, when in reality he was doing nothing about it.

"You probably left it here on purpose, and then, to your sick satisfaction, you observed my reaction," I scoffed and sank into the chair even more.

"Oh, how well you know me." The king smiled innocently.

"Where did you get this?" I asked bluntly, ignoring his earlier comment.

"From Renet." He said it in a tone as if he were at least saying the weather was nice. I wanted to shake him for playing with my feelings. "He had it with him when I visited him in his cell."

I was torn by conflicting feelings, because on the one hand, I still got goosebumps whenever I remembered the painting, and on the other, I felt the contradiction of it being Renet's property. I didn't want to admit that he was the author of this work; I wanted to focus on how he was holding up, rather than the circumstances in which it was created. Still, I wondered how to continue the conversation without letting anyone see what I was really after. Michael interpreted my silence as a strong enough shock and encouragement to continue. He smiled a little maliciously, which only made me nervous, so I spoke first.

"How is he feeling?" I asked with concern, surprising him a bit.

"As for that, I didn't allow him to be treated badly, but remember, he's not a guest but a prisoner." He tried not to show I'd upset him and calmly began eating.

"I'd like to see him."

"I won't allow it."

"I won't follow you until I've spoken to him." Finally, I decided to issue an ultimatum; after all, it was my last chance, because I didn't know Michael's exact plans for him.

"You will!" The young king began to fret.

"I didn't swear allegiance to you," I reminded him.

"Neither did you to him! And you're one of us!" He stood up, and for a moment we exchanged glances. I tried to remain calm, seeing that I had finally found something that worked in my favor. Michael needed a moment to realize that he had gotten carried away and lost one round, but he wasn't about to give up yet.

"Will your attitude not change, even if you find out he brought you here?" He looked at me intently, and this time I couldn't hide my agitation. He was analyzing the situation quickly, but Michael began bombarding me with more information. "Renet claims he painted this from his imagination months ago before you arrived, and yet here you stand before me. You don't realize that he is special. He may not be aware of it himself, but he can use magic better than others of his kind. Haven't you noticed how long he maintains his human form? Maybe he didn't intend to, but somehow he drew you here through this painting."

I stared at him, confused, not understanding how this could happen. Why did he paint me? Why did he imagine my image, not someone else's? After all, during our journey, everyone had emphasized that my features weren't common here, so I bore no resemblance to reality. It occurred to me that he might have suspected it too, hence his sense of duty to me, his questions about longing, and a sense of alienation. Maybe he really didn't want to do it, but somehow it happened, and it coincided with my death in that other world, which is why I could end up here.

But thanks to that, I met Renet and Tifia and found myself in a fantastic world I hadn't had the chance to properly explore yet. My old injury no longer bothered me, and I was slowly regaining my will to live. Initially, I hadn't, but now I felt like I could find my place here, assuming, of course, we lived in harmony with the Dragonids. I liked it here, and although I wasn't cut out for it, I wanted to save this world. I longed to find happiness here, so I was grateful to Renet.

"That doesn't change anything," I replied calmly, as I'd never done before. I was finally at peace with my heart.

"Why?!" Michael slammed his fist on the table. "You should hate him for that. He brought you here against your will." I didn't want to remind him that I died there, so it worked out for me, actually. "He lied to you, and... And he's not human like us!" He lacked arguments, and my calmness only made him lose his enthusiasm for the discussion.

"I fell in love, and as they say, love is blind," I finally admitted aloud.

The king sighed heavily and gave in, which didn't mean he would let us see each other. He pondered something for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.

"How stupid I was, and yet..." I looked at him curiously as he blushed. "Never mind, you don't need to know that. I'm sorry, Kyo." He smiled so politely that I was ready to forgive him anything. "Give me a moment to think about a few more things."

"Of course," I replied, hoping he'd change his mind. I hadn't had time to get up when a panting man burst in. He ignored me and leaned against the table to try to catch his breath. Michael didn't want to rush him with the message, but he handed him a cup of water. The messenger accepted it gratefully, drank it in one gulp, and then blurted out the worst news imaginable.

"Your Majesty, the Neighbors have attacked us."